January 28, 2005

The Georgia State Senate passed Senate Bill 34 today. That legislation, which is part of Governor Sonny Perdue's education agenda, would create the Master Teacher and Academic Coach program. Lawmakers Chriss Knight has the highlights.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's passage of Tort Reform legislation yesterday encouraged heated remarks on the Senate floor this morning. Senator Michael Meyer von Bremen left the committee meeting yesterday in frustration before a vote was taken on Senate Bill 3, today he explained why he is so disappointed with the committee proceedings and the current form of that legislation.

Discussions of House Bill 45, legislation designed to curb the production of methamphetamine
by tracking purchases of large amounts of cold medications used to make
the drug, also stirred heated debate in a subcommittee of House
Judiciary yesterday. Lawmakers David Zelski has the details.

Governor Sonny Perdue spoke today at a rally for his Faith and Family Services Amendment. The proposal would allow faith-based organizations to compete for State funds to provide social services. Lawmakers Jesse Freeman has that story.

Only four months after its inception, Bright from the Start, Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning has been given numerous responsibilities. Senator Preston Smith
has introduced legislation that would direct Bright from the Start to
develop resources for parents designed to help them support their
children's early learning experiences. Tonight, Gerald Bryant talks with Commissioner Marsha Mooreabout the responsibilities of her department and Senate Bill 1 in the second of a two-part series about Bright from the Start.

Nwandi Lawson talks with House Majority Caucus Chair Representative Sharon Cooper about tort reform and the legislative priorities of her caucus.

Gerald Bryant talks with Minority Caucus Chair Senator Tim Golden about what Democrats hope to accomplish in the Senate this year.

Motorcycles roared up to the Capitol today as American Bikers Active Towards Education or ABATE, rallied for a repeal of Georgia's helmet law. Lawmakers Angelena Washington has more.